as in solving
to find an answer for through reasoning
a book of brainteasers that even a really clever person won't have an easy time figuring out
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of figuring out
The warmer months are spent planning the ski season, booking return trips to favorite mountains, and figuring out which resorts to explore next.
—
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
Of the many obstacles to overcome before any Artemis astronauts begin moonwalking, perhaps the most simple yet significant is figuring out what to wear.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
Residents are still figuring out how the two groups should support each other.
—Samuel O’Neal 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Jan. 2026
In an era when IP is king at the theatrical box office, particularly when it’s encroached upon by streaming, what’s the trick to figuring out if an original project can play to a mass audience or a Gen Z one?
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
The stats are solid — a franchise-record 3,942 passing yards, 27 touchdowns to only seven interceptions — and the eye test shows someone figuring out how to do this job at the highest level.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The story is very much a journey of discovery for Colin, Harry Melling’s character — figuring out the rules of this sub-dom relationship and what Ray is asking of him.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Some offer a full refund to passengers while others are still figuring out how the reduction in flights will impact them.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025
While the benefits of T can be amazing, figuring out the side effects can also take trial and error.
—Quispe López, Them., 24 Oct. 2025
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
Of the many obstacles to overcome before any Artemis astronauts begin moonwalking, perhaps the most simple yet significant is figuring out what to wear.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
Residents are still figuring out how the two groups should support each other.
—Samuel O’Neal 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Jan. 2026
In an era when IP is king at the theatrical box office, particularly when it’s encroached upon by streaming, what’s the trick to figuring out if an original project can play to a mass audience or a Gen Z one?
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
The stats are solid — a franchise-record 3,942 passing yards, 27 touchdowns to only seven interceptions — and the eye test shows someone figuring out how to do this job at the highest level.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The story is very much a journey of discovery for Colin, Harry Melling’s character — figuring out the rules of this sub-dom relationship and what Ray is asking of him.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Some offer a full refund to passengers while others are still figuring out how the reduction in flights will impact them.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025
While the benefits of T can be amazing, figuring out the side effects can also take trial and error.
—Quispe López, Them., 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figuring out
Verb
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Einstein says there are reasons to be both pessimistic and optimistic about solving America's housing affordability crisis.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
24 Feb. 2026
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Burbank noted that high-profile cases such as this one will never go 100% cold because there will always be a detective dedicated to fielding calls and resources working in the background to continue solving it.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The supermodel posed in a white corset dress with a sheer skirt that appeared to be unraveling.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
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Now, Archuleta has a newfound sense of liberation, having grappled with the heaviness of unraveling his foundation of faith.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Even when Oklahoma City pushed its advantage back to 17, Brooklyn refused to fold, answering with a 9-0 push that cut it to 71-63.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2026
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With so much experience playing Head, Claassen is easily able to improvise in the moment answering random questions, cracking jokes and exchanging repartee with audience members, like the unfortunate man in row B who dared to show up at the theater on Friday in a casual sweatshirt.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But recent social media posts this week showed that the receiver was working out in Kansas City.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
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Kennedy’s proclivity for working out in belted denim long predates the knowing wink with which it’s now displayed.—
Daniel Engber,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Earlier theoretical work showed that combining spatial mode sorting with long-baseline interferometry could reach the true quantum limit for resolving two stars.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
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Kushner first reemerged on the scene in October to help Witkoff broker the Gaza-Israel peace deal, which was lauded but has made little progress yet toward resolving the underlying obstacles to peace.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Figuring out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figuring%20out. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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